Design Chat: Erin Moore, Head of Product at Chorus

Kalyani Deshpande
Jul 25, 2017 · 3 min read

“Work only on projects that will get you to where you want to go.”

I first met Erin earlier this year, when I took a visual design class at General Assembly. She was one of the instructors and not only had a great eye for visual design but also for UX.

She coached me through several challenges that came up in my class project. Rather than give me the solution, Erin asked me questions that helped me figure it out on my own and that gave me a lot of confidence. After class ended, I knew I just had to sit down and chat with her and I’m so glad I did. As you’ll see, she offers advice that’s very actionable.

Erin’s background is in visual design. After graduate school, she transitioned into a Product Design role at Twitter. Today, she’s Head of Product at Chorus, a startup that’s building a community-driven fitness app.


What types of projects should a UX Designer work on, early in their career?

Don’t limit yourself to any one kind of project. Work on a variety of design challenges, whether it’s mobile app design, a website redesign or a webapp. Try designing something from scratch. Experiment with collaborative design so you learn how to exchange ideas with other designers.

Also, be open to working in different industries. Go broad early in your career, then go narrow.

What career advice do you have for someone who’s starting out in UX Design?

Earlier, I talked about trying to get a variety of experience under your belt. But stay focused and know what your goals are. Work only on projects that will get you to where you want to go. Dedicate your time to doing work that will get you your next assignment.

The best designers also are the best communicators so continue building your communication skills.

Also, keep track of what you’re learning. A designer friend of mine takes a few minutes each week to write down what happened that week, what he accomplished, his takeaways etc. Not only does this introspection help him improve as a designer, it enables him to track all the nuances of his projects so when the time comes to update his portfolio, he has a record of what decisions were made and why.

What are your thoughts on UX portfolios?

Always showcase your best work. Include projects you’re really proud of, because your enthusiasm will come across in the case study on your portfolio website, as well as in the interview.

Don’t be afraid to go back to student projects and revise them. With every project you work on, you’ll become a better designer and there’s nothing wrong with taking that knowledge back to an older student project and improving it.

Don’t forget to include what role you had in each of your projects. It helps hiring managers get an understanding of your skill set and personality.


My takeaways

Per Erin’s suggestion, I’ve started a daily journal to track project notes and small wins. I also make a list of topics I’d like to research further. I can already see how this simple habit has made me more organized and focused.

If you found this interview useful, please share it!


Why Design Chat?

Design Chat is an interview series about working in user experience design. Often, I meet UX designers, visual designers, developers and product managers who share their experiences and offer great advice. I always come away learning something new — whether it’s a tool, a book or tips on being an effective designer. Design Chat is my way of capturing those insights and sharing them with the design community.

Kalyani Deshpande

Written by

UX Designer & Novelist, based in the SF Bay Area http://www.kalyanidesigns.com

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